Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid for JD students

A degree from Duke Law is an investment with many benefits - career options, earning potential, leadership development, and the chance to join an active and extensive alumni network. However, we realize that many applicants cannot fund a legal education on their own. For that reason, Duke Law devotes significant resources to scholarship funding in order to support applicants who demonstrate exceptional merit as well as financial need. These awards help to offset the cost of your legal education while making a wide array of legal jobs possible.

In conjunction with scholarships, federal loans, and our Loan Repayment Program (LRAP), the Research Triangle's low cost of living make it possible to minimize the cost of your legal education. This is important to consider when comparing law schools. While others may also offer aid, few can offer the combination of scholarship funding and low costs available at Duke Law.

Scholarships

Duke Law offers three-year scholarships to applicants who demonstrate exceptional merit as well as financial need. There is no GPA requirement, other than ensuring one remains in good academic standing. In addition, some scholarships are offered based on merit alone, including our full-tuition Mordecai Scholarship.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Duke Law has a long-standing tradition of supporting students and graduates who commit to public service careers. The Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) program greatly reduces the degree to which financing the cost of a legal education limits career options and opens the door to public service careers by providing a path for total loan forgiveness.

LRAP is the sole reason I can practice public interest law. Duke Law's commitment to public service is at the back of my mind whenever I am working in a community, whether it is in Alaska, Bermuda, or California. Any good I may be able to accomplish for communities or the environment, I owe to Duke Law and the Financial Aid office!

— David Roche '13

Financial Aid for Dual Degree Students

Students pursuing dual professional degrees through the Law School and another professional school (Fuqua School of Business, Nicholas School of the Environment, etc.) may qualify for financial aid. During terms in which students are enrolled at the Law School only or are taking classes at both schools, all financial aid will be administered through the Law School. When not enrolled at the Law School, students may qualify for aid at the partnering professional school. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Financial Aid for LLM Students

LLM for International Law Graduates

Duke Law has limited financial assistance to offer international students. A small amount of scholarship assistance based on merit is awarded to outstanding applicants. For information on financial assistance for international students, visit the International Studies website.

Law and Entrepreneurship LLM Students

Most students who are eligible for federal student loans will be able to borrow an amount sufficient to cover the cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses, but the type of federal loan available will depend on the borrowing history of the applicant. Limited scholarship assistance may be available to some applicants; students will be invited to complete a scholarship application upon admission to the program. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Office of Financial Aid

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

Duke's LRAP program covers 100% of federal loan payments for graduates making $60,000 or less in a public service career. Graduates making between $60,000 and $75,000 can receive assistance on a sliding scale.

Mordecai Scholars

A select group of outstanding entering JD students are chosen each year as Mordecai Scholars – students who receive full tuition financial assistance through the Law School’s high-merit scholarship program.